News: Kelly Pavlik, Juan Sanchez, Lenin Castillo

Sanchez, 22 years-old of Allentown, Pennsylvania has a perfect mark of 4-0 with one knockout. He is the son of former WBO Super Bantamweight world champion, Agapito Sanchez. Juan started boxing at the age of 15, and had a brief amateur career consisting of approximately 30 fights.

"My first exposure to boxing was when I was four years old and I accompanied my dad to the gym," said Sanchez. "I am excited to be with El Matador Management and looking forward to continue to grow in boxing. Boxing is a show, and I look forward to putting on great performances. I like to look flashy! Felipe Gomez has the experience to take me along this exciting journey."

Said Felipe Gomez, "I appreciate the confidence that Juan Sanchez and his team have placed in me. I remember what a warrior Juan's father, Agapito, was in the ring. I can see similarities in Juan's style and I believe he will go on to be an accomplished fighter."

Sanchez will be back in action on Tuesday, February 13 against Sergio Aguilar at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

Former Olympian Lenin Castillo (17-1-1, 12 KO’s) from the Dominican Republic has signed with new Puerto Rican management company, Spartan Boxing Club, on his mission to be part of the big stages in boxing.

Spartan Boxing Club President Raul Pastrana stated that "We are already planning to put Castillo on April 7 card in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Angel Acosta will defend his WBO world title, and we are currently in the process of looking for a quality opponent together with a regional title to rank Castillo in the top positions in order to get a greater fight by the end of the year”.

"I signed with Spartan Boxing because they have an incredible platform and a work plan that I understand will be effective for my long-term career. I'm crazy to get back the ring to show that I deserve to be on the big stages and what better way to start this new path in front of my dear Puerto Rican people whom make me feel at home every time I go there" said Castillo who at the amateur boxing level won gold medals at the Jr. Pan American Games and José 'Cheo' Aponte International Tournament, and competed at the Olympic Games at welterweight category in Beijing, China.

In his last fight, held in the month of November at the Hotel Jaragua in Santo Domingo, Castillo defeated by brutal knockout in the first round over power puncher, Andy Perez (20-7, 19 KO’s).

Spartan Boxing Club is composed of the decorated fighters: Super Bantamweight Yenifel Vicente (31-3-2, 23 KO) of the Dominican Republic who is ranked in the WBO & WBC, former members of the Puerto Rican National Amateur Boxing Team: Bernard 'Bimbo' Lebrón (9-0, 4KO’s), John 'La Bestia' Correa (3-0, 3KO’s) and Wilfredo 'Bimbito' Méndez (9-0, 4KO’s), among others boxers.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today former middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik will make his first visit to Canastota to participate in 2018 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend festivities set for June 7-10th.

“Kelly Pavlik provided many thrilling moments for boxing fans around the world,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We are excited about welcoming ‘The Ghost’ to Canastota for the first time. We know fans will enjoy seeing him during the festivities.”

Born in Youngstown, OH, Pavlik compiled an 89-9 amateur record before turning professional in 2000. He defeated Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (TKO 7) for the WBC / WBO middleweight championship in 2007 and reigned until 2010. During his career he scored victories over Edison Miranda, Marco Antonio Rubio, Bronco McKart and Fulgencio Zuniga among others while compiling a 40-2 (34 KOs) record. “The Ghost” was named “Fighter of the Year” in 2007 by Sports Illustrated.

“I’ve wanted to come to Canastota for a long time. I’m really looking forward to being around the other champions, new inductees and seeing the Hall of Fame Museum for the first time,” said Pavlik.

Many events in “Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota throughout the four-day celebration are planned, including a 5K Race / Fun Run, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, VIP Cocktail Reception, Parade of Champions and the Official Induction Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds. The Hall of Fame Weekend evening events include Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions. Both events will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweeterscience View Post
All of the voiciferous praise for Pavlik calling him the next best thing to Marvin Hagler seems to forget he got shut out by an ancient and sliding B-Hop and clearly lost to…

[QUOTE=yoshik;18473824]First it's vociferous. Next, Sergio was 100% for that fight and even at 43 the mutant, Hopkins was a world class fighter. They were fighting at a CW that was halfway to LHW a weight class that Hopkins would reside…

[QUOTE=bigjer88;18474166]The Hopkins fight was the beginning of the end for Pavlik. He never regained his footing after that. He was DAMN exciting to watch on the way up, and he destroyed Jermain Taylor when BHOP couldn't.
If Sergio's knees were…

[QUOTE=New England;18474248]curiously, just look at jermain. that guy was never the same after the first pavlik fight. took a hellish beating and was never the same guy inside or outside of the ring.[/QUOTE]
That's absolutely correct. Pavlik ruined him, Abraham…

[QUOTE=sweeterscience;18473417]It is somewhat embarrassing for you to be so aggressive in disagreement to an utter stranger. Regardless, I give you the benefit of the doubt that you meant only to open a dialogue, otherwise, why would you waste your time?…